pace pace (p[=a]s), n. [OE. pas, F. pas, from L. passus a
step, pace, orig., a stretching out of the feet in walking;
cf. pandere, passum, to spread, stretch; perh. akin to E.
patent. Cf. {Pas}, {Pass}.]
1. A single movement from one foot to the other in walking; a
step.
[1913 Webster]

2. The length of a step in walking or marching, reckoned from
the heel of one foot to the heel of the other; -- used as
a unit in measuring distances; as, he advanced fifty
paces. ``The height of sixty pace .'' --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]

Note: Ordinarily the pace is estimated at two and one half
linear feet; but in measuring distances be stepping,
the pace is extended to three feet (one yard) or to
three and three tenths feet (one fifth of a rod). The
regulationmarching pace in the English and United
States armies is thirty inches for quick time, and
thirty-six inches for double time. The Roman pace
(passus) was from the heel of one foot to the heel of
the same foot when it next touched the ground, five
Roman feet.
[1913 Webster]

3. Manner of stepping or moving; gait; walk; as, the walk,
trot, canter, gallop, and amble are paces of the horse; a
swaggering pace; a quick pace. --Chaucer.
[1913 Webster]

To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day. --Shak.
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In the military schools of riding a variety of paces
are taught. --Walsh.
[1913 Webster]

{Geometrical pace}, the space from heel to heel between the
spot where one foot is set down and that where the same
foot is again set down, looselyestimated at five feet, or
by some at four feet and two fifths. See {Roman pace} in
the Note under def. 2. [Obs.]

{To keep pace with} or {To hold pace with}, to keep up with;
to go as fast as. ``In intellect and attainments he kept
pace with his age.'' --Southey.

geometrical pace — a pace of 5 ft. (1.5 m), representing the distance between the places at which the same foot rests on the ground in walking. Also called great pace. [1550 60] * * * … Universalium

geometrical pace — a pace of 5 ft. (1.5 m), representing the distance between the places at which the same foot rests on the ground in walking. Also called great pace. [1550 60] … Useful english dictionary

pace — (p[=a]s), n. [OE. pas, F. pas, from L. passus a step, pace, orig., a stretching out of the feet in walking; cf. pandere, passum, to spread, stretch; perh. akin to E. patent. Cf. {Pas}, {Pass}.] 1. A single movement from one foot to the other in… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English